The Blood Crown - Chapter 135

In the twelfth lunar month, the capital had already experienced two days of heavy snow, covering the ground more than half a foot deep. This caused much inconvenience for travelers, with carriage wheels frequently getting stuck. However, the streets remained bustling, as people were busy shopping for New Year’s goods, with vendors shouting and hawking their wares everywhere.

Yan Sikong had moved into his new residence less than a month ago. Today, he hosted his second banquet. Unlike the previous occasion, this time he invited friends around his age, including those he usually hung out with, such as Zhou Mixin and Liang Sui. In the past, his modest salary couldn’t compare to Zhou Mixin’s wealthy lifestyle, so he often mooched off him for food, drink, and entertainment. But now, he had made a name for himself and moved into the luxurious residence bestowed by the Emperor. It was only right to reciprocate and invite his friends for a gathering.

Now that he held a prestigious position, he was no longer the impoverished scholar trailing behind Liang Sui. When he extended the invitation, his friends, who were noblemen and scholars, gladly accepted, eager to share in his success.

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. The heavy snow, combined with the negligence of Yan Sikong’s doorkeepers, caused a jam of more than ten carriages at his gate, with many wheels stuck in the slush, blocking the entire street. Passersby, though annoyed, had no choice but to take detours.

Inside, Yan Sikong was warmly entertaining Zhou Mixin and others by the brazier, drinking and laughing. Yan Sikong, as the host, had invited a group of girls from Tinglan Pavilion. Ye Li, Zhou Mixin’s former favorite, was prominently listed on the invitation and now sat beside Zhou Mixin, her radiant smile brightening the cold winter day.

After several rounds of drinks, someone suggested a poetry contest with an erotic theme. This kind of poetry required skill and taste—suggestive but not vulgar, sensual yet restrained, stimulating the imagination. Creating good erotic poetry demanded both talent and refinement.

Initially, the group racked their brains for suitable verses. However, with alcohol flowing, beautiful women by their side, and the privacy of the residence, they gradually became more uninhibited. The verses turned increasingly explicit and crude, becoming unfit for polite company.

At this moment, Yan Sikong, his face flushed with alcohol, was laughing and flirting with the women through poetry. His wanton behavior was a stark contrast to his usual demeanor, leading the others to believe he was simply reveling in his newfound status.

In the midst of this, a servant hurried in, looking flustered. He called out, “Young master,” but seeing the room full of guests, he hesitated to speak further, anxiously looking at Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong beckoned him over with a finger, then smiled and gestured for the guests to continue enjoying themselves.

The servant whispered something in Yan Sikong’s ear.

Yan Sikong frowned. “The entrance still isn’t cleared? What are you all doing?”

“The snow keeps falling and melting, making a mess. We’ve managed to clear half of it, but…” The servant’s face showed evident fear.

“Be quick about it and properly handle the guests’ carriages,” Yan Sikong ordered impatiently. “If someone comes by, just have them take a detour.”

“But that carriage refuses to take a detour and is being very aggressive…”

Liang Sui overheard. “What’s going on? What’s wrong with the carriages? Who’s being aggressive?”

“Nothing serious,” Yan Sikong feigned anger and scolded the servant, “You useless lot, disturbing the guests over such a trivial matter.”

“But young master, the carriage belongs to the Young Master of Jingyuan…” The servant’s voice trailed off as he saw the color drain from Yan Sikong’s face, his hand shaking as he spilled half his drink.

The servant quickly wiped the spilled wine from Yan Sikong’s clothes.

Yan Sikong’s eyes widened. “Who did you say?”

“Young Master of Jingyuan…” Though the servant’s voice was low, those around Yan Sikong heard and perked up, looking over curiously.

Yan Sikong wiped his face, his expression changing. He stood up, forcing a laugh and bowing. “Please continue drinking, I will be back shortly.”

Hurriedly heading outside, he heard a shout from a distance, “Get out of the way!”

The gates of Yan’s residence were wide open, with carriages scattered haphazardly in front. Servants were struggling to push the carriages to clear a path, but progress was slow.

A Li, dressed in a brand-new fur coat, stood like a guardian deity in front of one carriage, refusing to budge. His grotesque face looked particularly fierce.

The carriage driver angrily cracked his whip in the snow, shouting, “How dare you, lowly servant, block the Young Master’s carriage! Move aside, are you deaf?”

A Li gestured behind him and made circles in the air, indicating they should take a detour.

“Ridiculous! Why should the Young Master’s carriage detour for you?” The driver, furious, raised his whip to strike A Li.

“A Li—” Yan Sikong was alarmed and tried to stop him, but it was too late.

A Li, quick as lightning, caught the whip and wrapped it around his arm twice before yanking hard. The driver, like a kite, was lifted into the air and then thrown heavily into the snow.

The driver lay on the ground, wailing loudly.

The silent carriage suddenly burst open with a kick, and Feng Ye stepped out with a cold expression. He stood on the carriage, looking down at everyone with a chilling gaze. Yan Sikong quickly bowed, “Your Highness, I did not know you were coming. Please forgive the lack of a proper welcome.”

Feng Ye responded coldly, “Yan Sikong, how dare you block my carriage?”

“I would never dare. It’s just that the heavy snow has made the road muddy, and I was hosting friends today, causing the congestion at the gate,” Yan Sikong said hurriedly. “I have been urging my servants to clear the way, but unfortunately, it still obstructed your path. Please forgive me.”

“This isn’t my road; it’s the Emperor’s road. Under the heavens, all land belongs to the Emperor. Who gave you the guts to block the Emperor’s road and demand others to take a detour?” Feng Ye’s voice was icy.

“I wouldn’t dare. I am guilty,” Yan Sikong said, bowing in fear.

The crowd around them grew larger, even in the bitter cold, as people gathered to watch the spectacle.

“And your insolent servant!” Feng Ye glared fiercely at A Li. “Not only did he block the way, but he also dared to injure my driver.”

A Li stood there dumbfounded, showing no fear, but he looked to Yan Sikong for guidance.

Yan Sikong trembled as he spoke, “I have not disciplined him properly. I beg Your Highness to forgive him, considering his lack of full mental faculties.”

Feng Ye snorted, then suddenly leaped into the air, his tall figure soaring like a giant bird. Before anyone could react, he kicked A Li squarely in the chest, sending the stout man flying.

“Ah Li!” Yan Sikong hurried over to him.

A Li lay on the ground, convulsing and coughing up blood, staining the snow beneath him.

“Ah Li!” Yan Sikong lifted A Li, his face filled with worry. “Are you alright, Ah Li?”

Blood continued to gush from A Li’s mouth, and he groaned but couldn’t speak.

Yan Sikong turned to Feng Ye, his eyes filled with anger. “Your Highness, you are of noble status. Why stoop to bullying a servant? Aren’t you afraid of losing face?”

Feng Ye sneered, “I see you care deeply for this creature. I figured you wouldn’t punish him, so I did it for you. You should be thanking me.”

Yan Sikong signaled his other servants to carry A Li away. He then stood up, clenching his fists. “If my servants have offended Your Highness, it is my failure to discipline them. I should bear the responsibility. If Your Highness is still angry, take it out on me!”

“Oh dear, what’s going on here!” Zhou Mixin shouted as he ran out, followed by the other guests from the banquet.

The front yard was chaotic, with Yan Sikong and Feng Ye facing off in the snow, tension clear for all to see. It wasn’t hard to guess what had happened.

Zhou Mixin hurried to smooth things over, “Your Highness, it’s freezing out here. Why not come inside and let Sikong apologize with a few drinks…”

Feng Ye glanced at the grand mansion and sneered, “Tsk tsk, Yan Son-in-law, you’ve really scored with this marriage.”

Yan Sikong’s face darkened considerably.

Zhou Mixin and Liang Sui exchanged awkward glances.

“No need to go inside. It wouldn’t be right to impose,” Feng Ye said arrogantly. “I was just passing by on my way home when this ignorant servant blocked the road and asked me to take a detour. And he injured my driver… Yan Son-in-law, despite our shared history on the battlefield and our impending familial ties, you shouldn’t treat me this way. I demand an explanation. This isn’t unreasonable, is it?”

Yan Sikong coldly replied, “I am willing to take the punishment on behalf of my servant.”

Feng Ye smirked, lifted his driver from the snow, and put him back into the carriage. “Your dog of a servant injured my driver. Since I’m in a hurry to get home, why don’t you, Yan Son-in-law, drive me?”

Everyone held their breath, thinking Feng Ye was going too far by demanding that Yan Sikong, a high-ranking official and future royal son-in-law, drive his carriage.

Everyone knew Feng Ye was unruly, but they didn’t expect him to be this relentless.

Yan Sikong bit his lip, swallowing his humiliation, and said, “I obey.”

Feng Ye laughed heartily and returned to the carriage.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Yan Sikong grabbed the reins of the horse. The servants quickly cleared a narrow path, but it was too tight for him to ride, so he had to lead the horse through the deep snow, step by step, until they got past the congestion at the gate.

A servant ran up to cover Yan Sikong, who was wearing only light clothing, with a fur cloak, but Yan Sikong angrily threw it to the ground. He climbed onto the carriage, snapped the whip, and shouted, “Hyah!” driving the carriage toward Prince Jingyuan’s residence…

Everyone watched the carriage disappear into the distance, whispering among themselves. Ye Li, standing by, seemed lost in thought…